CRO ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES ISRAELI OFFICIAL

( Editorial: --> 6897 ) ZAGREB, April 15 (Hina) - After the recent establishment of diplomatic relations, Croatia and Israel will continue to strengthen their ties, it was said after Wednesday's meeting between Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader and the General Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Eytan Bentsur. In a statement to the press, Sanader recalled the official announcement of the Croatian Government to seek the extradition of former commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp Dinko Sakic. Sanader said he informed his guest about this, adding that "the procedure is underway, the response of the Argentinean Government is being waited for and in the meantime Croatia is preparing for the trial, if the extradition takes place". The Israeli Government fully supported Croatia's request for Sakic's extradition so that he could be tried in Croatia, Bentsur said. Sanader stressed satisfaction with the visit of the high Israeli official to Zagreb, adding that Croatia had already accredited its ambassador to Israel, while the Israeli ambassador would hand over his credentials next week. "We are negotiating several bilateral agreements, primarily contracts which refer to the international legal infrastructure and economic cooperation, such as contracts on investment protection and promotion, avoiding double taxation, economic and tourism cooperation and air traffic," said Sanader. The two sides have reached an agreement and if the contents of those contracts are agreed on, Croatia and Israel expect that some of them will be signed in May, during an official visit by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic to Israel. A visit by the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to Israel is also being prepared, Sanader said. Today's talks also tackled the current situation in both countries, Sanader said. "I have informed Mr Bentsur about the situation following the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube River region, about Croatia's efforts aimed at consolidating the political situation in the Danube region, our policy of normalising relations with Yugoslavia, and our views concerning Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Croatia absolutely supports the Dayton peace agreement and does all in its power to facilitate its implementation, as well as the implementation of the Washington agreement," Sanader said. Croatia had clearly stated its orientation towards Euro-Atlantic associations, including NATO, he added. "Mr Bentsur has informed us in great detail about the situation in Israel and talks with the Palestinians as well as about efforts aimed at stabilising the political situation in the region, and the latest effort of the special US envoy for the Near East Dennis Ross, who is to visit Israel again these days," Sanader said. The Budapest statement really paved the way to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Croatia, said Bentsur. "We look forward to the visit of Croatia's Foreign Minister to Israel and expect that a certain number of contracts of mutual interest will be signed during the visit. We believe that we are on the right track towards the establishment of friendly relations between our two countries," the Israeli official concluded. (hina) rm/mrb 151406 MET apr 98